Getting forever families
Photos by JEFFEREE WOO | Times
Evelyn Vega-Krebs, right, kisses her daughter Kayla Choice-Krebs while Duffer Krebs reacts after a judge finalizes their adoption during a National Adoption Day celebration at a Hillsborough County courthouse on Friday.
Judith Joseph hugs her adopted son, Jadens Joseph, during a National Adoption Day celebration in Tampa on Friday.
Adoptions are usually a closed-door affair, but on National Adoption Day, all are welcome at the Edgecomb Courthouse in Tampa as children get their forever families. Friday’s event, themed “Adoption Rocks,” is a celebration held every November to coincide with National Adoption Month, which aims to raise awareness and encourage people to consider the adoption of children and teens from foster care. Mayor Jane Castor, whose two sons are adopted, read a proclamation to a packed courtroom of happy families sharing hugs, smiles and tears of joy.